Recent Articles in Beginner

Duration: 34 minutes

Emphasis: After a seated and kneeling warm up to prepare your back, you'll do a slow sequence that features Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana), Locust Pose (Salabhasana), Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana) and Melting Heart Pose (Anahatasana). The next round deepens the poses. Coming down to the floor you'll do some counterposes such as Child's Pose (Balasana), Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana) and Supine Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana) before resting on the blocks for Savasana.

Props required: Two blocks and a blanket.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 10 minutes

Emphasis: A very short chair class that you can do 'on-the-go' - no need to even get your yoga kit on. It will strengthen your legs and ankles with some squats and heel rasises and your core with an adaptation of Balancing Table Pose (aka Bird Dog). Then there's a bit of stretching and mobility to finish off.

Props needed: A chair.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 27 minutes

Emphasis: A yin class that's a little shorter than others, this will focus on forward bends to stretch your back and the back of your legs. There is minimal talking from me once you're in the pose which will mean less distractions and help you to be quiet and still.

Props needed: A bit of wall space and, if your hamstrings are really tight, you might need a block and a rolled blanket.

Mat direction: It doesn't matter.

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis: If you're feeling stiff and creaky and want a good stretch this is the class for you. Perfect if you've been cycling or running or when you just want to do a bit of slow and gentle movement, you'll start at the feet and move up the body, breathing deeply and stretching out any tight areas.

Props required: A blanket to kneel on if required.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 19 minutes

Emphasis: This gentle sequence is designed to stretch out and mobilise your whole body. You'll do twists, backbends and forward bends in various familiar poses.

Props required: You might want a blanket under your knees.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis: Ease out stiff and creaky joints in your neck, shoulders, spine, hips, legs and feet in this gentle seated class.

Props: None needed unless you'd like a blanket to sit on.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 12 minutes

Emphasis: Enjoy 12 minutes of rest and relaxation in Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani). You'll pause your busy day to reset and rejuvinate yourself, gently stretching your legs, back, shoulders and arms.

Props required: A wall, a yoga belt, a block and a blanket.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat against the wall.

Duration: 14 minutes

Emphasis: This short Iyengar-style class uses the wall to help you get some really good, deep stretches. You'll use it to keep your back straight in Staff Pose (Dandasana) and Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana), stretch your calf muscles and increase your ankle mobility in Garland Pose (Malasana), strongly turn your spine in Seated Twist (Marichyasana III) and open your shoulders and stretch your arms in a variation of Easy Pose (Sukhasana). You can do this as a stand-alone class or you can add on the Supine Wall Stretches (December 2024) to make a longer practice.

Props required: A wall.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat against the wall.

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis: Starting with some foot and ankle mobility work, you'll gradually work your way up the body, moving the hip joints, strengthening the core muscles, doing a backbend, a forward bend, a side-bend and a twist, moving the shoulder joints, strengthening the arms and hands and, finally, there's a bit of gentle movement for the neck. Every pose is done seated on a chair.

Props required: A chair and a brick

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 20 minutes

Emphasis: This is a 20 minute flow for you to practise when you don't have much time. Although short, it is a well-rounded class with forward bends, backbends, side bends and twists to give your whole body a little short of movement medicine.

Props required: You might need a blanket for your knees.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 18 minutes

Emphasis: In this short class there are 5 different sequences - each one features a core strengthener, a gentle backbend and a forward bend. You'll repeat each sequence twice and then finish with a short Savasana, either lying on your back or possibly lying on your front in Crocodile Pose (Makrasana). It's short but it's a complete practice - you'll have moved your body in all directions.

Props required: A blanket for under your knees if required.

Mat direction: Either - you choose.

Duration: 36 minutes

Emphasis: You can do this class sitting on the floor or, if you prefer, you can do it seated on a chair. There are also a couple of kneeling poses right at the end. The focus is on your hands, arms, upper chest and back and your shoulders - stretching the muscles and other tissues and mobilising the joints.

Props required: A blanket to sit on and for under your knees plus a chair if required.

Mat direction: Either - you choose.